Sept. 17 Letters: Putin diplomacy, Del. Mike Watson, HRBT

September 16, 2013

Medal for Putin

Now that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown us how to avoid bombing Syria for its chemical weapons transgressions, it would be entirely appropriate for President Obama to pack up his Nobel Peace Prize and send it to Mr.Putin. Putin deserves it more.

Dean B. Stewart Jr.

Williamsburg

Keeping promises

I would like to thank Del.Mike Watson for his ongoing efforts and being true to his campaign promise to support and expand business in the Tidewater area.With the passage of the lab budget bill for Jefferson Labs that will allow equiptment upgrades to better position the facility's Free Electron Laser, Jefferson Labs will be in position to compete for work from the Departmentof Energy and increase local employment and revenue.

Mr. Watson's House Bill 1177 was part of energy legislation signed into law to advance Virginia as the "Energy Capital of the East Coast" which will reduce importation of energy in Virginia as well as nationally . The bill establishes a fund for a grant program for business donations of new machinery and equiptment to Virginia's Community Colleges and vocational schools thus enabling students to have "hands on" experience in the workforce.

Finally, for the second consecutive year, Mike Watson will receive the "Champion of Free Enterprise Award" given by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for his 100 percent pro-business in the 2013 session

Thank you, Del. Watson for a job well done.

Steve Groce

Newport News

Re: "Progress and priorities," Sept 16.

How is Fort Monroe ever going to become economically viable if Mayor Molly Joseph Ward keeps insisting on opposing any improvements to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel?

Until capacity is added to the HRBT, Fort Monroe and Hampton will just be at the end of a traffic snarled cul-de-sac.